Machine for removing box covers



Dec. 15,1931. ,J,ARLSON a 1 1,837,015

MACHINE FOR REMOVING BOX COVERS Filed Aug. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 o I INVENTOR 48 I g/zar/esd Caz/son ATTORNEY Dec. l5, 1931. c. J. CARLSON 4 MACHINE FOR REMOVING BOX COVERS Filed Aug. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 III: 1/ an: 1

d R a 5 w m w 4 o 4 5 j C 2|, w 0 9 4 9 d 0 w 3 O 2 8 M 3 6 6 F 9 J 6 6 5 3 I00 m L W J 2 6 I O/ o o a a, F .3 6 HW i, I, l via 7 p 7 m 5 a n. 9 m I 3 2 B L/3 4 |IIIWI I 10 ll: t o O O i l M a 8 4 2 0 i M 3 3 2 2 3 4 8 4 ATTORNEY Dec. 15, C J, CARLSQN I MACHINE FOR REMOVING 80X COVERS Filed Aug. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1/9 a l 94 m.

I29 INVENTOR C/mgyes -J Cads on 3 /2 1 ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1931. c. J. cARLsoN MACHINE FOR REMOVING BOX COVERS Filed Aug. 20. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Charles J Car/s on ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1931 CHARLES J. CARLSON, F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON MACHINE FOR REMGVING BOX COVERS Application filedAugust 20, 1928. Serial No. 360361.

My invention relates to a machine :for re moving covers from boxes, for removing nails from said'covers, and disposing of saidcovers after they are removed from the boxes.

In industries where large numbers of packing boxes of uniform size are handled, it often requires a great deal of time and labor to remove the covers from said boxes by hand,

.and, further, often results in considerable breakage or damage to the-covers, which is an economic loss. One instance where this condition arises in which the machine embodying my inventionfis especially useful,

is in canneries, and this instance of use is especially referred to in the following speci fication, but it is to be understood that the machine is intended for all uses to which it is adapted.

.In canneries, the empty cans are often:

shipped to the canneries in wooden boxes which have the top or cover board's nailed on. At the cannery, the box covers must be removed before the cans can be taken out for sirable to avoid damage to the boxes and the covers for the reason that said boxes and filling. In removing the box covers it is .de-

covers are later used as packing cases for the filled cans. Where the covers are to be removed from hundreds or sometimes thousands of these boxes each day,it requires several men for this work alone, an d, in removing the coversby hand, a relatively large percentage of the box covers are split or broken, and

I thus rendered unfit for a second use on the boxes after the filled cans have been placed therein. Another objection to removing the box covers by hand is that the hand process is necessarily slow and often results in other thi time operating at maximumcapacity. i

A primary object of my invention is to departments in the cannery being obligedto provide a machine of simple and efficient construction which will quickly and easily remove box covers from'boxes in a. minimum amount of time, with very little labor, and with a minimum amount of damage to the box covers. I V

A further object is to embody my invent tion either in a simple hand-operated machine, made chiefly fromwood which can be built in any ordinary Work shop, or to V embody the invention in' a'fully automatic power-operated machine of all-metal construction made to Withstand long and hard; use.

Another object of the invention is topro vide automatic means for removing the nails from the box covers after they are taken off the boxes and automatic means for disposing of the covers after the nails have been removed therefrom. This saves a lar e amount of time and labor in removing the nails, conserves the box covers by minimizing the splitting and breaking of the same, saves nails-by removing said nails without bending, and conserves space by leaving'the covers free from obstruct-ions so that they may be stacked flat in superposed relation in a manner which is not possible if the nails are not removed f i The above mentioned general objects of my invent-ion, together with others inherent in the same, are attained by the machine illustrated in the following drawings, the same being the preferred exemplary forms of embodiment of my invention, throughout which drawings like reference numerals indicate like parts: i

Figure -1, is a view in side elevation of a machine for removing box covers, which is. constructed in accordance with my invention; 1

F i-g. 2 is a view of the same, partly in elevation and partly in section, on broken line 2, 2 of Fig. 1, showing the clamping mecha: nism. partially clamped on a: box;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similarto Fig, Qexcept that onlyone side of the machine is shownand the clamping levers are infully clamped position I I Fig. 4 is a detaohedplan view of one of the cover lifting members 1 gles to Fig. 7, parts be ng shown 1n section substantially on broken line 8,8 of Fig; 7

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on a'larger scale of the cover lifting and holdin devices at one side of the machine; and

Figs. 10,11 and 12 are detached views illustrating details of. a nail puller and box lid'lifter respectively, which are embodied in the fully automatic machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, I show a machinefor removing the lids of packing boxeseme bodying an upright frame,'preferably composed offour posts 11 arranged in rectangular formation and supported on base frame members 12 and 13. .Inclinedbraces-14 are provided between the uprights .11 and base.

members 12 to assist in forming a rigid and substantial frame structure. The top of the frame isheld rigid by rods 15 which extend crosswise in one direction; and brace .fmem bers 16 and 17 which extend crosswise at right.

angles to the rods and are. made fast to the frame by the, rods 15, said braces constituting spaced a art guide members as, hereinafter described? H V p I At a convenient height from the floor, I pro 'ide a box support formedof two spaced apart angularly shaped members18, which.

rest on cross bars 19 that are secured to the frame. The members 18 constitute atrackwayfor supporting boxes 20, one of which is shown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, while the lid or cover 21 is being removed from said boxes.

The mechanismfor gripping and holding the boxand the mechanism for lifting the box cover is operatively disposed between the two posts 11 at each side of the machine, so

as to engage with the two ends of the boxes whichar'e placed on the t'rackway 18, as more clearly shown in Fig.2. The box gripping and holding mechanism comprises two gripping leversor members 22 and 23, fulcrumed on pivot rods 24, each gripping member being relatively wide at its top end and narrower at its bottom end and being provided on its inner side, above its respective pivot 24, with a box gripping'element 25 having teeth 26, seeFig. 5, that are adapted to enter the ends of the box 20 to prevent said-box from being lifted in the operation of'removingthebox cover21.,

At their lower ends, the box gripping members 22 and 23 are tapered or narrowed, chiefly from one side, and are provided, nearer their left-hand edges as seen in Fig. 1, with slots 27 for the reception of levers 28 and 29 respectively, which are secured to the box gripping members by pivots 30 and serve as toggle links for swinging the box gripping members on the pivots 24. The toggle levers 28 and 29 are connected with each other by a pivot 31, and the toggle lever 29 extends outwardly to one side of the machine so that it may be readily grasped for operating the same. In Fig. 3, the levers 28 and 29 are shown between their two extreme positions. The inner end of the lever 29 carries a weight 32, preferably of lead, for bringing said lever. and the parts connected therewith back tothe retracted position, and further has a stop member 33 for arresting the movement of said levers and stopping the samein a gripping position, the middlepivot 31 being allowed'to just pass the line of centers ofpivots 30, whereby the levers will be locked in said gripping p,osition,,as shown'inFig. 3. Automatic means, hereinafter described, are provided for releasing or tripping the levers 28 and 29from-the locked position.

The means for removing the box covers comprises two relatively. wide flat cover liffl ing members 34 and 35, having their upper ends slidable vertically between the guides 16 and 17 at the top of the frame and having blocks 36 and 37 on theirouter sides. The bottom ends of the lifting members 34 and 35 and the bottomendsof the blocks 36 and 37v are jointly recessed to afiord receptacles 38 into which tongue portions 39 on the upper.

ends of the box gripping members 22 and 23 project. This arrangement causes the lower ends of'the cover lifting members to be moved toward. and away from the box along with the upper ends of the box gripping members and, at the same time, leaves the cover lifting members free to be moved vertically.

The cover lifting elements 40, which actually enter between the top edges of the boxes and the box tops '21, are secured to the in ner sides of the members 34 and 35 and extend horizontally across the same, and are prefei ably provided with teeth 41 as more clearly shown in Fig. 4. When the bottom ends of themembers 34 and 35 are at the limit of their outward movement, these lifting elements 4O willbe clear of the box and as the bottom ends of said members 34 and 35 are swung inwardly, these lifting elements will be caused to enter between the top edge of the box and the bottom side of the cover, (see Fig. 3), so that upward movement of the members 36 and 37 will lift the top from the box. For positioning the cover lifting elements 40, so that they will always enter aecurately between the top edge of the box 20 and the'box cover 21, and will not damage either the box or the cover,I provide two stops 42, preferably of rubber, which are. carried on blocks 43 that, are secured to the respective members 34 and 35. The box covers 21 are all of substantially the same thickness, and: the rubber stops 42 will always come to rest on the top surfaces of such box covers, thus positioning the elements 40 accurately. V

For elevating the members34 and 35 to lift the box cover from the box after the elements have been inserted thereunder, I provide two lifting bars 44 and45 which have their upper ends positioned within recesses 46 in the blocks 36 and 37 and arranged to abut against a wall 47 in eachof said blocks, and which have their lower ends secured by hinges 48 to an oscillatory cross member 49. The cross member 49 is secured by hinges'50 to the frame members 11 and is provided at one end with a relatively long lever arm 51 by which it may be oscillated. In this way a compound lever movement is secured for lifting the members 34 and'35.

A trip element 52 is provided on the bar 45 for engaging with the lever 29 and tripping the same after'the box cover has been lifted.

' In the operation oflthis device, the box 20 formed by this lever29 and the link 28. This moves the bottom ends of the members 22 and 23 apart, and moves the top ends of said members 22 and 23 and the bottom ends of the members 34 and 35 together, forcing the gripping elements 25 into the ends of the box, and forcing the cover-lifting elements 40 be tween the top edge of the box and the box cover as shown in Fig. 3. When the lever 29 is at the limit of its movement, the stop 33 will rest against the bottom of the lever 28 and the'pivot 31 willhave passed the center line common to the two pivots 30 so that the two lever members 28 and 29 will be locked in this position; After the lever 29'has been fully depressed, the lever 51 will be moved to the right from the position shown in Fig. 1,

* thus elevating the bars 44 and 45 and parts connected therewith and lifting the cover 21 from the box. As the bars 44 and 45 reach the limit of their upward movement, the trip element 52 will strike against thebottom sideof the lever 29 and move the pivot 31 below the line of centers common to pivots 30, thus permitting the weight 32 to move the box engaging and cover lifting parts to fully released position. This releases the cover, so that the cover and the box may both be removed by the operator and another box insorted; As soon as the next box is in place,-

the lever 51 may be moved back to the position'shown in Fig. '1, lowering the stops 42 so that they rest on thetop of the box and posh tioning the cover lifting elements for the next manner.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form of the invention in which I provide an upright frame 54 having cross pieces 55, which support a trackway 56 for the reception of boxes 20, one only of which is shown. Mounted on pivots 57 atthe sides of the track-way 56 are two box gripping members 58, each having gripping elements 5.9 of the same form as the members 25, Fig. '4, secured thereto and adapted to grip the ends of the box. Levers 60 and 61 pivoted to the lower ends ofthe members 58 and to'each other operate as toggle means to swing the members 58 on their pivots.

Cover lifting members 62 have, their lower ends interlocked with the upper ends of memhers 58 for simultaneousswinging movement 'ments 65 similar to the elements 40 of Fig; 5,

secured to their inner sides and arranged to enter between the top edges of the box and the box cover 21, and furtherhave stops 66 provided thereon for engagingthe top of the box to correctly position the elements 65. The lifting means for the members 62 is in the nature of twoangular levers 67 hinged at 68 andhaving their lower ends engaged beneath blocks 69 on members 62. The upper ends of the angular levers 67 are connected by links 70 with a hand lever 71 in the manner shown, so that the upper ends of the angular lever 67 may be moved outwardly simultaneously by movement of the hand lever 71 to thereby raise the members 62 and lift the box cover 21.

In'Figs. 7t'o 10 inclusive. I have illustrated a fully automatic power operated machine of all metal construction for removing the box covers, removingthe nails from said covers and disposing of the covers. In this.

machine the boxes are also fed into the machine and removed from'the same byaiitomatic means.

'Referring to Figs. 7 to 10, I show a machine embodying a rectangular frame 72 of suitable shape and construction to support the operating parts of the machine. Mounted on the frame 7 2 are spaced parallel angle bars 7 3 forming a trackway for supporting boxes 74,

from which covers 75areto be removed. The

boxes 74 are fed 'into and out of'the machine by a reciprocatory feed embodying parallel bars 76 movable longitudinally in guides 77 and having box engaging pawls 78 which are depressed when they are drawn rearwardlyunder the boxes and spring up as soon as they are released so as'to engage behind theboxes and move "said boxes forwardly when the bars 76 are advanced. The means for reciprocat' ing the bars 76 is preferably in duplicate and includes links 79 connected with the bars 76 and with the upper ends of lever arms 80, whichare pivoted as at 81 on the frame. The lever arms 80 are connected by adjustable means'82 with the outer ends of links 83.

The inner ends of the links 83 are connected with crank pins 84 on discs 85"which are se-' cured to a master cam shaft 86tl1at extends crosswise of the lower part of the frame. The

links 7 9 are adjustable as to length by turn buckles 87 to vary the positioning of the bars 76. The stroke of'the'bars 76 may be varied for different sizedboxes by adjusting the means 82 to vary the point of connection of thelink 83 with lever 80.

u scribed. The adjustable connections 91 make it possible to vary the throw ofthe top ends of the levers 88 and 89.

The means for gripping the boxes and for engaging with and removing the l1ds comprises two upright frame members 94 and 95 supported on opposite sides of the maenine" and pivoted for swinging movement'from their bottom ends by pivots 96. Opposite to the ends of the boxes 74 the frames 94'and- 95 are provided with transverse horizontal angle bars 97 upon which toothed box engaging elements 98 of a form similar to the elements shown in F1 g. '5 are secured for engaging with and gripping the ends of the; boxes 74'. The frames 94 and 95 are moved toward and away from the boxes by forkedlevers 99, which are pivoted at 100 and have their upper; ends connected with said frames by links 101. The lower ends of the levers'99 have rollers 102 whichare disposed within suitahleslots in cams 103 on the shaft 86, whereby the levers 99 will he'oscillated as the shaft 86 rotates. 4 Movably mounted on the upper ends of the frame members 94 and 9,5 are slides 104 to which upper and lower horizontal angle bars 105 and 106 are secured. Cover removing ele-' ments 107 of a form similar'to the'elements shown in Fig. 4 are secured to the lower angle bars 106 and arranged to enter between the top of the box 74 and the box cover for lifting the. box cover. Blocks or spacers 108 rest eavens 0n the top of the elements 107 and serve as a mounting means for horizontal stops or positioning members 109, which are bent upwardly at their outer ends to avoid jamming the edge of thecover and are adapted to rest on the top of a box cover and properly position the elements 107. The blocks 108 also serve as mountings for upright cover supporting brackets 110, which are narrow fingers. The upper angle bars 105 have upper cover supporting and nail pushing plates 111 secured thereto. The slides 104 are pivotally connected with the upper ends of upright push bars 112 which have rollers 113 on their lower ends arranged to roll on cams 114 on the shaft 86, whereby the slides will be move d vertically upward at the proper intervals in the cycle of operation of the machine. Said slides are arranged to be lowered by gravity when released by cams 114.

The nail pulling devices comprise shafts 115 disposed at each side of the machine and arranged to be oscillated through substantially one-half of one complete revolution 3y eccentric gear segments 116, which mesh with curved racks 117, which are guided in brackets 119 and are arranged to be moved vertically by links'120 that are connected with cranks 121 on shaft 122 having a gear wheel 123 which meshes with a corresponding gear wheel 118 on the shaft 86. Mounted on each shaft 115 are two U-shaped nail pullin memhers 124 and 125, slidable relative to eac other, and having at their outer ends knifelike nail engaging elements 126. The hubs of the members 124 and 125 are slotted as at 127 wherethey fit over the shafts 115 to permit longitudinal movement of said members and said hubs are provided with offset notches 128 and 129 that fit over cross keys 130 in the shafts 115, as more clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10. lVhen the shafts 115 are turned in the proper direction to swing the nail pullers toward the box cover, the keys 130 exert a pressure within the notches 128 and 129 which moves the members 124 and 125 slidably relative to each other, and spreads the nail grippers 126'apart, so that they 'may pass over the head of nails 131 which have been previously pushed up partially out'of the box top, see Fig. 10, by the plates 111 as hereinafter described. As soon as the nail pullers reach the position shown in 10, the direction of rotation of the shafts 115 is reversed, the keys 130 draw the nail grippers 126 together, and clasp the nails, and furtherrota-ry movement of said shafts lifts the nails out'and turns the nail grippers through an angle of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees. As soon as the nail grippers have'pulled the nails, they will be out of the way during the remainder of the cycle of operation. The nails will either dropout by gravity when the nail pullers reach the reverse horizontal position, or will drop out as soon as reverse movement of the shafts 115 begins in the next cycle of operation; The eccentric gears and curved racks constitute meansfor giving slow speed and more power when the nail is being pulled, and more speed and less power on other parts of the stroke. 7 r

A box p stacker for taking away and stacking the box tops is provided for operation in connection with the nail pullers. This box top stacker includes a shaft 132 having a driving connection by means of gears 133 and 134 with one of the shafts 115, so that it will always be oscillated in the opposite direction from the shaft 115 from Which it is driven. Secured to the ends of the shaft 132 farther out than the nail pullers and so that they will clear the nail pullers at the sides are two arms, each formed of two members 135 and 136, of unequal length, that are slidable relative to each other. The shorter arm members 136 are connected at their outer ends by a cross bar 137 having a lip 138 arranged. to engage beneath the end of a box cover, and the longer arms 135 are similarly connected a cross bar 139 havinga corresponding lip 140 thereon. Thehubs of the arms 135 and 1.36 are slotted and notched in a manner substantially identical with the hubs of the nail pulling devices, whereby said arms are adapted to be moved slidablyrelative to each other by keys 141 in the shaft 132. When the nail pullers are fully retracted, the box top stacker will be resting on a box top from which the nails have just been removed, andrthe bars 137 and 139 will be spread apart so that the lips 138 and 140 underhang said box cover, said bars having been spread apart by the action of the keys 1 1 ontheir hubs as the box top stacker was swung inwardly over the machine. As soon reverse movement of the shaft 132 begins, the bars 137 and 139 are drawn together and the lips 138 and 140 engage beneath the ends of the box cover, whereupon further reverse movement of said shaft 132 will swingthe box cover through an arc asshown in. Fig. 7 and finally deposit the same at a convenient distance from the machine. From the fore going description it will be seen that the stacker is always moving oppositely from the nail pullers. i

For the purpose of supporting'the box covers after they have been lifted from the boxes and while the nails are being pushed and pulled out of the same, I provide three sets of supporting bars, namely, a lower set- 142, a middle set 143, and an upper set 144. Each of these sets preferably comprises two spaced-apart bars, positioned near the ends of the box cover,'although it may comprise more bars or may be in the form of a single plate. The two lower sets of bars 142 and 143 are rigidly secured together and are movable simultaneously. Theupper of bars 144 is movable independently of the two lower sets. Suitable guides 145 on the frame support said bars for longitudinal sliding movement. The two sets of bars 142 and 143 are moved reciprocably into a retracted position by the lever 88, Fig. 8, which engages with a hook 146 on said bars A spring 147 moves said bars inwardly when they are released by the lever 88 and dash pot means 148 cushions the inward movement of said bars. Atri member 149 is arranged toengage with t e'upper end of the hook 146 to release the same.

- -The upper set of bars 144 is moved into retracted position by the lever 89 which engages with a hook 150 on said bars and is moved in-. wardlyover the box covers by a spring 151,

dash pot or cushioning means being provided at 152 for absorbing the shock of the inward movement; A trip member 153 isprovided for engaging with the upper end of the hook 150 to release the bars 144 at the proper time.

The levers 88 and 89 adjustably pivoted at their lower ends constitute readily adjustable means for retracting the bars 142 143 and 145 quickly at the proper time in the cycle of the machine.

"Any suitable means, not shown, may be provided for driving the machine, as, for instance, a motor connected by suitable speed reduction gears with the gear wheel 118.

In the operation of the machine disclosed in Figs. 7 to 12, incl.,.the boxes 74 may be brought in by any suitable mechanism and depositedon the track members 73,.where they will be picked up by the reciprocating feeder bars 7 6 and correctly positioned with- As soon as the said box has arrived at the proper position, the cams 103 begin to move the frame members 94 and 95 inwardly, forcing the elements .98 into the ends of the box and forcing the cover lifting elements 107 between the boxcover 75 and the top edge of the-box 74, the curved positioning members 109 having first engaged the top of the covers 75 and properly positioned the members 1075 The instant this inward movement is completed, the cams 114'will begin to lift the slides 104, carrying with them the elements 107 and lifting the cover from'the box.

a While the gripping of the box and lifting of the cover has been taking place, the feeder bars-7 6 have been'moving back to the left as shown in Fig. 8, and have retracted the bars 142' and 143, and the box covers 75, which were previously supportedon the bars 142 and 143 respectively, have been allowed to reston the fingers 110 and the Plates 111 respectively, the points of the nails in the upper boxcover 7 5 resting'on the plates 111 which are preferably milled finely on their top surfaces to prevent the nail points from slipping thereon and bending the nails. The box covers 75 will not be withdrawn along with the rods 142 and 143, because they are raised from said rods at the time the movement of V the rods occurs. Before the removal of the box cover i completed, the rods 142 and 143 will be entirely out of the way, thus allowing the cover just removed to be lifted and allowing the plates 111 to push the nails upwardly in the upper cover far enough so that they may be caught by the nail pullingdevices, the bars 144 serving as stops on the'upper side of the uppermost box cover, while the nails are being pushed out. As soon as thelifting devices reach their uppermost position, the bars 142 and 143 are released and are quickly moved by the springs 14? intoa position under the two lowermost box covers, but the uppermost cover withthe nails partly pushed out will be supported on the longer plates 111. At this same time the nail pullers, which have been previously moving toward the box top, will close over the nails and then begin their reverse movement.

Attention is called to the, positions in Fig.

.7 in which thebox is gripped justprevious to the lifting of the cover and the nail pullers are approximately midway of their stroke. As soon as the nail pullers have gripped the nails, they begin their return stroke first pulling; the nails and eventually dropping them at approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees from the point they are pulled. After the nails havebeen pushednp by the plates 1-11 and the bars 142 and 143 released and permitted to move under the two lowermost box covers, then t-he'cams 103 shift the levers 99 and move the frames 94 and 95 outward, releasing the box and the box cover. By the time this takes place the feeder bars 76 will have'moved backwardly their full distance to the left, Fig. 8, and will be ready to begin their forward movement toward the right, bringing in a newbox andpushing the'box from which the cover has just been removed out of theway. As the bars 76 move forwardly, the lever 89 will engage with the hookl50 on the bars 144 and retract said bars out of the way of the stacking device, which will then be moving toward-thefcover from which the nails have been removed. The stacking device will come down on said cover with thelips1'38 and 140 fully spread apartand at this instant the direction of rotation ofthe shaft .132 will-be reversed, tlfe lipsl38 and 140 will be drawn together h neath the box cover and the stacking device will beginto move back toward position. The stacking device may-pick up the uppermost cover while it is resting on the discharge from and the hook 150 will be tripped and I permit the return of the bars 144 before the lifting mechanism again moves upwardly.

The various operations are overlapping throughout substantially the entire cycle, but a cycle is completed et each revolution of the master shaft 86 and all of the operations are timed from this shaft. The movements are all simple and capable of being carried out in quick succession, making the machine very rapid in'operation. The machine does not damage the boxes and removes the covers with the least possible breakage, thus economizing on boxes and box covers as well as saving much time and labor.

The term sides of the box, as herein used applies also to the ends of the box unless otherwise specified.

Obviously, changes may be made in, the forms, dimensions and arrangement of the parts of my, invention wthout departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment.

I claim 1. A machine for removing box covers embodying means for gripping and holding a box; cover lifting; devices arranged to be inserted underneath the edges of the box covergbetween the cover and the box cover engaging elements on said cover lifting de- Vices for positioning the same; and means for elevating said lifting devices to remove the cover from the box.

2. A machine for removing box covers which are nailed onto woo-den boxes embodying box supporting means; means for gripping and holding the box; means for applying and releasing said gripping means; thin sharp cover lifting elements supported at'the sides of the box; means arranged to engage the top side of the cover for positioning said cover lifting elements in the plane of the bottom side of said cover; means for forcing said cover lifting elements between the cover and the top edge of the box; and means for moving the cover lifting elements away from the box to withdraw the nails and remove the cover. 3. A machine for removing box covers which are secured by nails to wooden boxes embodying means for supporting the boxes;

for 1llnoving said cover lifting members vertica y.. v

4. A machine for removing nailed wooden box covers embodying box supporting trackways; upright members'supported for sidewise swinging movement at the sides of said trackways; means for'swinging said upright members toward and away" from boxes that are supported on said trackways; means on said upright members for gripping said boxes; cover lifting members at the upper ends of said upright members, said cover lifting members being movable sidewise with said upright members and movable vertically independently of said upright members; cover engaging elements on said cover lifting members; and means for elevating said cover lifting members;

5. A machine for removing nailed wooden box covers embodying a main frame; a trackway on said main frame for supporting boxes; box holdin 'members movably mounted at the sides 0' the trackway; box gripping elements on said box holding members; means for moving said box holding members sidewise to grip or release a box; cover lifting members at the top ends of said box holding members; said cover lifting members being movable vertically and horizontally; relatively thin cover lift ing elements on said cover lifting members; and stop meanson said cover lifting members above said cover lifting elements arranged to rest upon a box cover and position said cover lifting elements for insertion between the box cover and the top/of a box upon which said cover isjnailed.

6. A machine for removing the covers from boxes embodying box supporting means; box gripping devices disposed at the sides of said box supporting means;

cover engaging and lifting elements di"- posed at the sides of said box supporting means and interconnected with 7 said box gripping devices; mechanism for moving said box gripping devices and said cover lifting elements inwardly simultaneously into engagement with a box; and means for elevating said cover lifting elements inde' pendently while said boxgripping dev1ces remain engaged'to lift the cover from the box. v

7. A' machine for removing box covers which "are nailed onto wooden boxes embody an upright main frame; trackways on sald frame for supporting boxes; box holding members fulcrumed at the sides of said trackways; box gripping elements on the insides of said box holding members near their upper ends; means connected with the lower ends of saidbox holding members for oscillating the same to grip and release a box; vertically movable cover lifting members connected with the upper ends of said box holding members for sidewi'se movement simultaneously therewith; cover engaging elements on said cover lifting members; and means for moving said cover lifting members vertically.

81An' automatic machine for handling wooden'boxes having covers nailed thereon embodying means for gripping and holding the box; means for engaging the cover and lifting the same from said box by pulling the nails means for pushing-thenails up insaid cover; means for grasping and pulling said nails; and means for removing said box cover after thenails are withdrawn.

9. 'In an automatic machine for handling wooden boxes which have covers nailed thereon, a main frame; box supporting trackways onsaid main frame; means at the sides of said trackways for gripping and holding a box; devices for operating said box gripping means vcrtically'movable means for engagingwith and lifting a cover that is nailed onto abox; devices for operating said vertically movable means; devices for receiving and supporting said cover after it has been lifted from the box; and'meansfor removing the nails from said cover.

cover that is nailed onto a box; devices for operating said vertically movable means; devices for receiving and supporting said cover after it has been lifted from the box; means for removing the nails from said cover; and means for picking up said cover and disposing of the same.

11. An automatic machine of the class described embodying box supporting means; box holding members at the sides of said box supporting means; box gripping elements on said box holding members; means for moving said box holding members into and out of engagement with a box on said box supporting means; coverlifting'members slidable on the'top ends of saidbox holding members;

cover engagingelements on said. cover lifting members; and means formoving said cover lifting means vertically! 12. In an automatic" machine of the class described, box supporting means; reciprocable bars for advancing'boxes along said box supporting means; a master cam shaft disposed below said box supporting means; 'means connected with said cam shaft for operating said bars; box holdingmembers at thesides of said machine ;means on said cam shaft for moving said box holding members into and out of engagement with a box on said supporting means; cover lifting members movablesidewise with said box holding members; means on said cover lifting members to engage beneath a box cover; means operated by said cam shaft for elevating said cover lifting members to lift the box cover from the box; means forreceiving and supporting said removed box cover; means for removing the nails from said box-cover; and a box cover stacking device for removing said box cover. 1

13. In an automatic machineof the class described, box supporting means; reciprocable bars for advancing boxes along said box supporting means; a master camshaft disposed below said box supporting means; means connecting with said cam shaft for operating said bars; box holding members at the sides of said machine; means on said cam shaft for moving said box-holding mem here into and out of engagement with a box on said supporting means; cover lifting members movable sidewise with said box holding members; means on said cover lifting members to engage beneath a box cover; means operated by said cam shaft for elevating said cover lifting members to lift the box cover from the box; rod means arranged to be moved under said cover to support the same; devices for withdrawing said rod means'while the cover is being lifted; other rod means disposed above said cover; means carried by the cover liftingidevices for pushing the nails upwardly in'said box cover; and means operated from said cam shaft for withdrawing the nails from said cover.

14."A machine for removin'g box covers which are secured by nails to woodentboxes embodying means for supporting the boxes; laterally movable frames at the sides of the box supporting means; toothed box gripping elements on the inner sides of said frames; means for moving said frames laterally; coverlifting members at the upper ends of said frames movable laterally with said frames and movable vertically independent- 1y of said frames; and means for moving said cover lifting members vertically.

15. A machine for removing box covers embodying oppositely disposed spaced apart box holding members movable toward and away from each other; box gripping'elements on said box holding members; cover lifting elements connected with said box holding members for simultaneous sidewise movement therewith but independently movable longitudinally of said box holding members; means for moving said box holding members sidewise whereby said boxsgripping elements and said cover lifting elements are caused to engage a box, and independent means for moving said cover lifting elements longitudinally relative to said box holding members.

16. In an automatic machine of the class described, box supporting means; a master cam shaft disposed below said box supporting means; box holding members at the sides of said machine; Vmeans on said cam shaft for moving said box. holding members into andout of engagement with a box on said supporting means; cover lifting members movable sidewise with said box holding members; means on said cover lifting members to engage beneath a box cover; and means operated by said cam shaft for elevating said cover lifting members to lift the box cover from the box.

17. In an automatic machine of the class described, box supporting means; a master cam shaft disposed below said box supporting means; box holding members at the sides of said machine; means on said cam shaft for moving said box holding members into and out of engagement with a box on said supporting means; cover lifting members movable sidewise with said box holding members; means on said cover lifting members to engage beneath a box cover; means operated by. said cam shaft for elevating said cover lifting members to lift the box cover from the box; means for receiving and supporting said removed box cover; means for removing the nails from said box cover; and a box cover stacking device for removing said box cover.

18. In an automatic machine of the class described, box supporting means; a master cam shaft disposed below said box supporting means; box holding members at the sides of said machine; means on said'cam shaft for moving said box holding members into and out of, engagement with a box on said supporting means; cover lifting members movable sidewise with said box holding members; means on said cover lifting mem bers to engage beneath a box cover; means operated by said cam shaft for elevating said cover, lifting members to lift the box cover from the box; rod means arranged to be moved under said cover to support the same; devices for withdrawing said rod means while the cover is being lifted; other rod means disposed above said cover; means carried by the cover lifting devices for pushing the nails upwardly in said box cover; and means operated from said cam shaft for withdrawing the nails from said cover.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of July, 1928.

CHARLES J. CARLSON.- 

